Sports Writer

ROSEAU, Dominica: Basking in the glow of an innings victory against India in Perth in January, Mickey Arthur said what was on the mind of every cricket fan in the country - he wished the Ashes could start in two months' time. It's just as well it didn't.

A summer of regeneration has ended and the Australians are about to embark on a year-long stretch where all roads lead to the urn.

As a pointer to next year's Ashes campaign, the tour of the Caribbean is of little relevance. Not only were the conditions completely different to what Australia will confront against England, so was the strength of the opposition - as spirited as the West Indies were.

But by having a genuine dip, the Windies did Australian cricket a far greater service than the meek surrender by India's ageing greats.

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Again, there are doubts over the strength of Australia's batting, though only Shivnarine Chanderpaul mastered the difficult conditions in the Caribbean.

Michael Holding and Curtly Ambrose, on commentary duties this series, are among those who see it as a weakness heading into a home series against South Africa's imposing pace attack.

Just three months ago, Ricky Ponting was coming off a near-career best campaign but doubts over his future have resurfaced after an unconvincing series in the Caribbean, though he was riddled with bad luck in parts.

Barring a disastrous start to the Sheffield Shield season, Ponting will get the chance to start the series against Dale Steyn and co, but few will be so bold as to confidently predict he will prosper let alone have a repeat of his Indian summer.

Should

he or any other member of the top six flop, then the home series against Sri Lanka, who have never won a Test in Australia, is shaping as the ideal opportunity for selectors to blood a new player - possibly George Bailey or Peter Forrest.

It will also be the last chance to blood a debutant before the Ashes as the dust bowls of the subcontinent, where Australia play a demanding four-Test series against India, are no place for a player cutting their teeth in the five-day arena. Nor are England's seam-friendly pitches during a battle for the Ashes.

The English are clinging on to their No.1 ranking after being humbled by Pakistan in the Middle East and splitting a two-game series in Sri Lanka, but they remain a force at home. Their 4-0 drubbing of India was as emphatic as Australia's.

Those on the fringe of Australia's top six will have an early dress rehearsal in England this winter when Australia A play their English equivalent in two four-day games that will carry a large weight in any 50-50 selection.

For all of Australia's advances in the past eight months, they could well enter next year's Ashes with five of the same top seven who flopped so spectacularly two summers ago.

Matthew Wade's excellent debut series ensures Brad Haddin, one of few Australians who performed commendably in the last fight for the urn, must perform early next summer to preserve his place.

''I look at Matty Wade and how his batting has developed over the last six weeks, it's been amazing,'' Arthur said. ''He's nowhere near the player that arrived in St Vincent. In St Vincent, he was almost frustrated with himself. He was almost in denial with conditions.''

Wade has since embraced the technical changes recommended by the brains trust and thoroughly deserved his success, Arthur said.

Arthur said Wade's efforts against the West Indies would have a bearing on which gloveman had first crack at the Proteas but he, unlike Michael Clarke, refused to publicly endorse either man.

''Wadey stood up brilliantly and I'm just so happy because it's creating depth for us in so many positions,'' Arthur said.

''There is a lot of water to go under the bridge before our next Test match against South Africa at the Gabba.''

Wade has a full schedule of ODIs and Twenty20s during the winter ''so he's going to have ample opportunity to really shine and really show us what he's got'' while Haddin has a handful of matches for NSW to stake his claim.

''For us to comment now is probably too early. I just think that will all unfold in the wash,'' Arthur said.

''We go back to Australia with a lot of answers as to where we're going as a squad and I'm very, very happy that we're just creating depth within our structures because with the amount of cricket we play these days there's going to be injuries and we've got guys that are going to be match-hardened and ready to step up to the plate.''